《Varelith: The Wires of Fate》 The Price of Progress Another life, another failure. The faces blurred, but each one haunted him, starting with his closest friend. He pretended to be callous toward the outcome. It was all done in the name of discovery. But he knew the truth. If they failed again, magic would unravel. Each experiment took years of research¡ªand every one had failed. It was his fault. He had started this, and no one else could fix it. He closed his eyes as his hand touched the cold black metal. The door couldn¡¯t muffle the screams beyond. Footsteps in the hall quieted as he pushed the door open. The room, a dressed-up prison cell, had walls carved from the rocky ground beneath the estate. Black lines snaked through the dull stone, sparking like the heartbeat of the land. The four-poster bed, once a prized luxury, lay in splinters¡ªjust fabric and broken wood. The woman chained to the wall was a shell of her former self. Her hair hung in matted strings, her eyes sunken deep into her skull. Bruises covered her pale arms and legs, and blood caked her fingers, where her nails had been scraped away. It looked like torture, but it was all self-inflicted. ¡°David, she¡¯s¡­¡± came a quiet voice from the doorway. ¡°I know.¡± he replied without turning. A silver shutter blinked open. Tiny wires crisscrossed his topaz iris, pulsing like the sparks in the stone. They stared at the poor wretch who looked up at him with desperate recognition. He took a few slow steps toward her, caressing her bruised cheek. She leaned into his hand, her eyes closing as she rubbed against his warm skin. He rested his forehead against hers. ¡°I think you¡¯ve had enough,¡± he whispered. She groaned in response, her throat raw from screaming, unable to form words. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks, carving clean lines in the steely dust that covered her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said. Black and blue clouds swirled from his fingers, forming shadowy tendrils that snaked toward the woman, then hesitated, as if sensing his thoughts. One eye closed, and the metal shutter snapped shut as the shadows cradled her body like a mother holding a child. The magic made quick work of her, ending her suffering with no pain and no memory of the last few weeks. A lifeless body hung from the chains. There was nothing more to do. Every time this happened, he lost a piece of himself. It was a never-ending punishment that he had to endure, and there was no way to stop it. The only solace he had was ensuring no one was alone when it was all over. They were comforted and loved to the very last breath. ¡°One of these days, I won¡¯t have to do this again!¡± he growled. His footsteps echoed on the stone as the door slammed behind him. His metallic hand balled into a fist, striking his palm until the skin turned red. The implant had been a failure, and she had died for it. They would have to find out what went wrong and reconfigure the Technomagical constructs. Next time, a life could be saved. He remembered the first time it had happened. The vision of someone throwing themselves against wooden walls until their bones broke had never left his mind. Their timid voice had become loud and raving over the discoveries made in that prison of a bedroom. Their small, gnarled hand held up a chipped cup, claiming it was the Technomagical discovery of the age. He walked toward the stairs, wondering how long he¡¯d been in Varelith. Centuries, by Earth¡¯s standards. How had it come to this? How had it come to this? How many lives had they sacrificed in the name of discovery? ¡°Just like I tried to make hearts beat on earth, we break minds in this world in pursuit of the same impossible solution.¡± He thought to himself. His mind went back to the beginning, where an artificial heart on Earth refused to beat.
2098: Earth David Lochner¡¯s innovations changed lives. He created artificial limbs and body parts that interfaced with the human brain. The paralyzed walked again, the blind could see. His technology improved life for all, and David was hailed as a hero. He was overworked, underpaid, and isolated. Day after day, he bent over a screen, mumbling to himself, obsessed with creating his masterpiece¡ªa functional human heart. Little did David know that someone had been watching him for years. That night, the Mage leaned over a stone pedestal where water bubbled and played. With one touch, the water stilled, hardening into a glowing mirror. The reflection was not his own, but of a man pacing in a cluttered office, running a hand through his short, wavy hair. David slapped a half-built model off his desk. It landed in a trash can filled with rotting food. He ignored it, glaring at the screen as the simulation flashed the same red error code. This was his life¡¯s work all boiling down to this one perfect piece of technology. It wouldn¡¯t work. The chair scraped across the floor, nudging a defunct cleaner bot into a corner. After years of failed models and simulations, all he needed was one breakthrough. A noise made David jump. It sounded like gas igniting, but there was no heat or explosion¡ªonly the whoosh of flames. He turned to see an orb of deep blue water. It bubbled and stretched from wall to wall, blocking his way. ¡°What in the¡­?¡± He squinted, ¡°Ramona! Ramona! Is this a joke?¡± David assumed it was another of Ramona¡¯s harmless pranks. But the water felt too real. The quiet buzz of machines gave way to the pleasant sound of a bubbling brook, filling the office. David reached toward the water, then jerked back as cool droplets cascaded over his skin, splashing onto the dingy tile. ¡°Ramona?¡± David yelled, ¡°How did you do this?¡± His assistant did not answer over the trickling of the brook. It seemed Ramona created an elaborate form of virtual reality. That, or she somehow put a water feature in the office. Both were nearly impossible. When he touched the water again, it grabbed his hand, pulling him into the projection. Of course, you and I know this was a portal and David was pulled through it by the magic itself, tumbling through worlds at a speed much faster than light. On Earth, the water squeezed together until it was nothing more than a small drop. It hung in the air for a few moments before splashing on the floor. David Lochner had disappeared into thin air. On Varelith, something entirely different and exciting was happening. The mirror became an angry sea, swishing and churning with the oncoming storm. The water splashed up over the stone again and again until it found the floor, springing up into a smaller version of the same ¡°projection¡± David saw. An echoing scream preceded the thump and tumble of a man rolling in to a stately study in Zloras Castle. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. David opened his eyes to the smell of a musty rug. He blinked as his vision adjusted to the dim light of fire and candles. As he picked himself up, he inhaled a much more pleasant scent of comforting wood smoke. It was like a smoky marshmallow fresh from a bonfire, combined with a sweet citrus that David couldn¡¯t place. Fire crackled in a hearth, casting warmth across the room. A cool breeze drifted through the window. The light didn¡¯t come from candles but from an orb filled with glowing liquid, orange and yellow, casting its glow throughout the room. Bookshelves lined every wall, overflowing with books. A cluttered desk, scattered with open volumes, mirrored a mind overloaded with thoughts. A pedestal of shining metal sat in the center of the desk, holding a map of continents David had never seen before. Shiny black shoes shuffled across a rug that had once been royal blue. David¡¯s eyes bulged when he saw the man in front of him. He was nearly seven feet tall with a thin frame that was hidden by the gray slacks and blue tunic billowing over a white shirt. Two eyes like sapphires smiled at David; they were wrinkled and heavy with age. It wasn¡¯t the eyes or odd clothes that got to David. It was the ears. His ears extended well past the back of his head, finishing at a perfect point. ¡°Welcome to Varelith, Mister Lochner,¡± the man spoke like David¡¯s own grandfather. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± David¡¯s shock gave way to logic, and he scrambled to a standing position. ¡°What? What - what is this? Ramona! This isn¡¯t funny anymore!¡± ¡°Mister Lochner, I can assure you Ramona is not here. And you are not on earth. Goodness, you¡¯re a sight. Here, let¡¯s get you some tea. Then I¡¯ll explain everything.¡± He did not wait for David to respond before turning on his heels towards a long desk near the arched doorway. David squinted at a few people who walked past the open door. Like this man, they too wore slacks or leggings and tunics that reached just below the waist. They all had the same long ears coming to a point at the end. Every one of them paused and watched David for a few moments before smiling a greeting and going on their way. It was as if they expected him. A note of herbs along with the bitterness of tea reached David long before the cup did. He was directed to an oversized high-backed chair covered in an earthy green leather. The chair creaked when David sat on it, but cushioned him in comfort that had been broken in long before David settled there. He took a confused sip of the tea, tilting his head when a burst of floral and sugar ran over his tongue. ¡°Our finest blend from Athary. I thought it would suit you.¡± The man said. ¡°Now that you¡¯re sorted out, allow me to introduce myself. I am Collin Div¡¯vossian. I am a Mage here in Varelith.¡± ¡°A Mage?¡± David blinked, ¡°Who did the work on your ears? Everyone¡¯s ears!¡± ¡°We are Elves, Mister Lochner.¡± Collin said. The fragrant tea spilled on the worn rug when David lost all cognitive function for a brief moment. Collin¡¯s eyes followed the mug, but he didn¡¯t move to pick it up. Instead, he sat erect in the chair, holding his own cup in one palm. To David, he was like an old Professor ¡ª ready to share his years of knowledge with anyone prepared to hear the lecture. ¡°Hm¡­¡± Collin mused, ¡°You¡¯ve never seen one of us before. You¡¯ve never seen magic either. You have. Yes, you have. You weren¡¯t aware of it.¡± ¡°An Elf?¡± David grasped his head in his hands, ¡°I¡¯ve gone and done it. I¡¯ve overworked myself and I¡¯ve lost it. I¡¯ll be committed! I¡¯ve gone insane! I knew this would happen one day!¡± Collin was unmoved. ¡°If I may, sir. If you were that self-aware, do you truly think you¡¯ve gone insane?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know! I don¡¯t¡­! What is going on?¡± David asked. ¡°Let me get you another cup of tea to calm your nerves. I will explain everything.¡± Collin chuckled. While David drinks his tea and learns that he is in Varelith, I will share with you what Collin shared with David. Varelith is comprised of six major lands, Athary, Espachor, Stej Pria, Xasmal, the islands of Bruy Clines and Ordrya. David came through the portal into Ordrya, which is the forested land of the Elves. Zloras is the capital of Ordrya, where the great Zloras Castle stands. Zloras Castle itself is a shining city, home to Varelith¡¯s strongest military and some of the greatest magic users in the world. Collin Div¡¯vossian was not only one of Varelith¡¯s most accomplished Mages, he was also the ruler of Ordrya itself. He had watched David for many earth years, waiting for the opportunity to bring him to Varelith. It was Collin¡¯s hope that David would see his magic awakened in and take it back to Earth. This was the way they had done it since the ancient days of the world, and David was one of the many chosen to learn. David scoffed at Collin, waving his hand back and forth. ¡°You are telling me I¡¯m in some alternate world where Faeries and Elves live and magic exists. Oh boy. I have absolutely lost it.¡± ¡°That is what I am telling you, and you will believe me in a moment.¡± Collin said. ¡°How do you suppose you can prove that?¡± David asked. David ran his hands over the smooth surface of the desk, expecting it to flicker, distort, or simply disappear beneath his fingertips. It didn¡¯t. The cool, solid wood stayed firm, resisting his touch the way any real object would. Collin walked to a pedestal on the far side of the room. The stone itself was like marble that glittered with some sort of silver gemstone embedded into it. On top of the pedestal was a shallow bowl that held the same deep blue water David had seen in his office. The water swished back and forth, as if it was waiting for Collin to command it. ¡°There is your office. Right through the portal. You can see it clearly, can you not?¡± David shrugged, ¡°Yeah, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not hallucinating everything.¡± ¡°Step through it.¡± Collin said, ¡°I will leave it open long enough for you to return. Do hurry. It is a bit shaky since I¡¯m pulling from far too much of Earth¡¯s magic.¡± David walked towards the watery reflection of his office. ¡°Sure. I just walk right through and¡­¡± Again, David found himself grasped by the water and pulled through to Earth. It wasn¡¯t as jarring as the first experience and he landed on his knees, feeling the cool tile floor rise up to give them both a nasty bruise. He opened and closed his hands, listening to the hum of computers and a distant coffee machine brewing a fresh cup. ¡°See? It was all a hallucination.¡± David sighed. ¡°I need to make an appointment with a Doctor right now. I knew¡­¡± David¡¯s voice caught in his throat when the roar of a portal opened up behind him. He dreaded to turn around, but forced his body to move. There it was again, stretching from one wall to the other, waiting for him to come back. There was no logic left, not even for a man as analytical as David Lochner. This was unexplained even to a Scientist as brilliant as he is. He paced in front of the portal, looking up at it every few steps and glaring at the Elven study on the other side. ¡°Pinching yourself to wake up,¡± he muttered. He pinched himself, hard enough to bruise his own skin. The pain shot through his arm, but the portal remained intact. In a sudden burst of anger, he struck the wall with the side of his fist. The thud reverberated through the plaster and metal, but it didn¡¯t bend, break, or reveal any hint of illusion. The pain in his knuckles was real, sharp, and the portal still remained. He looked around the room, trying to find anything that would make this illusion go away. Nothing broke it, no matter what he did. This could not be real. It could not be! There was one way to know for sure¡­. David¡¯s eyes fell on a desk drawer slightly ajar. A terrible thought crept into his mind. The portal grasped hold of David again, and he landed on his feet back in the study. Collin squeezed his hand into a fist, closing the portal behind him. The water itself seemed to almost giggle as it splashed back in to the shallow bowl. ¡°Mister Lochner? You brought something back?¡± Collin asked. ¡°An insurance policy, Mister Collin.¡± David nodded. ¡°A way to truly test whether I¡¯m awake.¡± Collin pointed to one of David¡¯s models of a Human heart. ¡°I know that is one of your creations, but the other is a weapon.¡± He nodded his head towards the holster David held. Most people in David¡¯s line of work carried a weapon with them. Corporations killed for pieces of technology that would make them rich. Scientists and Doctors of David¡¯s status were always in danger, and they needed security. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m going to use it on myself.¡± David said. Collin stretched out his hands towards David. The click of the safety was followed by a swift crack of a gunshot. A searing burn ran through David¡¯s leg and hip. It was like someone had poured flaming oil deep inside of his muscles. He had never been shot before and did not stop to think of the consequences of such an injury. Nor did he stop to think of the nauseating pain that followed. A warmth ran down over his leg as his pants stuck fast to his skin. David gulped in a few gasps of air, watching the study begin to spin around him. Footsteps echoed in the hall, and the quiet gasps grew as fuzzy and dark as his vision. His legs lost their ability to hold him up any longer, and they buckled to the floor. As the world spun around him, David¡¯s last thought was ¡°It¡¯s real¡­¡± Magic is Real David blinked, waiting for the haze to lift. Was he in a hospital? Was the nightmare finally over? A gentle voice¡ªhis doctor, maybe¡ªwas trying to wake him for another dose of medicine. Soon, a psychiatrist would sort it all out. The fog rolled away, revealing a window frame. A cool breeze brushed David¡¯s face, sunlight slipping through the archway. The fur blanket was a deep, rich blue, covering a thick mattress resting directly on the floor. He let his arm dangle, his fingers brushing the thick rug. ¡°Doc,¡± David groaned, ¡°Doc, something is wrong with me.¡± The soft voice answered him, ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong with you anymore, sir. You¡¯re healed. Once the medicine wears off, you¡¯ll feel wonderful.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± David blinked. ¡°I am Kaelen, a Physician of Zloras Castle. Once you are fully awake, we can talk more.¡± David jolted upright. This isn¡¯t real. This can¡¯t be real. His heart pounded as he tried to escape the insanity of his own mind. ¡°No! No! I¡¯m still here?!¡± He squeezed his eyes shut, swallowing down the panic that threatened to bubble over. You shot yourself, David! You¡¯re supposed to be in a hospital. Not in¡­ whatever this is! ¡°Sir, please!¡± Kaelen said. ¡°Lie down. You still need to process the medicine!¡± A soft sound reached David¡¯s ears, like a breeze whispering through aspens, followed by peaceful silence. Warmth washed over him, like sitting by a fire on a cold night. He felt the presence of everyone he¡¯d ever loved, filling him with joy. The comfort was unsettling. David¡¯s grip tightened on the blanket as a cold pit opened in his stomach. It wasn¡¯t right. It wasn¡¯t real. Yet, the blurring edges of his reality gave way to this new, wonderful feeling, leaving him drifting into euphoria for a moment. ¡°Wait a moment,¡± he cracked one eye open. ¡°What did you do?¡± ¡°A little magic to calm your mind,¡± Kaelen said with a smile. ¡°It always helps visitors from low-magic worlds relax and collect their thoughts.¡± He explained that Physicians in Varelith are skilled practitioners, combining medical knowledge with magical talents. Physicians train for many sun turns, learning their craft with others who have more experience than they do. Kaelen¡¯s poultice and magic closed the bullet wound in just two days, then he helped David fall into a deep rest to heal. Herbal potions were given to David every few hours to keep him strong, though they left a bitter, mud-like taste in his throat. A glass of cool water sat beside the bed, its surface dotted with blossoms, filling the air with sweet citrus. David gulped down the soothing liquid, washing away the grogginess he felt. His eyes opened. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this is all real?¡± David rubbed his face. Kaelen nodded. ¡°I am very real, sir. Hurting yourself was reckless, but I¡¯ve never seen anyone arrive in Varelith with a gun.¡± ¡°How do you know what a gun is?¡± ¡°The Orcs in Bruy Clines have plenty of guns,¡± Kaelen said with a chuckle. David scoffed. ¡°Orcs? Broo-ee Clines?¡± ¡°Yes. Bruy Clines is a beautiful set of islands west of Ordrya,¡± Kaelen said. ¡°Orcs?!¡± David tried on the word like a pair of pants that didn¡¯t fit. Kaelen chuckled. ¡°The Orcs are wonderful people. We have a few working here in Zloras Castle.¡± ¡°Giant brutes with underbites are nice?¡± ¡°Who in the forests told you that?¡± Kaelen threw his head back with laughter. ¡°I¡¯ve seen no Orcs looking like that in my time!¡± The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. As David recovered, Kaelen sat next to him, talking about Orcs and Bruy Clines. It served as a distraction and allowed his body to finish healing. Within a few days, David had all the Orc history he could handle. It is amazing what the medicine of Varelith can do for a person. A little touch of magic, along with some medicinal herbs, creates a combination that heals the body, mind, and soul. The longer Kaelen spoke, the more at ease David felt. Soon, he found himself sitting on a cushioned stool. Soft footsteps echoed through the hall, nearing the arched doorway. Collin¡¯s wrinkled face appeared in the doorway. His concern melted into a relieved sigh when he saw David at ease. ¡°Mister Lochner!¡± Collin said. ¡°That was a terrible thing to do to yourself! Are you feeling alright?¡± ¡°Better. Yes. I¡¯m sorry, I only meant to find out if¡­¡± David trailed off, hanging his head like a child being disciplined. Collin Div¡¯vossian, one of the oldest living Elves in Varelith, had spent a lifetime with the Scholars¡¯ tomes. His grandfatherly presence could make anyone shrink away with just a look. Though he didn¡¯t mean to scold, the narrowing of Collin¡¯s eyes made both David and Kaelen feel the need to apologize. ¡°Did you come to an understanding with yourself?¡± Collin asked. ¡°I did,¡± said David. ¡°Thanks to your Physician.¡± ¡°Kaelen does good work,¡± Collin said, a smile tugging at his mouth. David stood, straightening the unfamiliar shirt. The light fabric felt comfortable, though its embroidered cuffs were unlike anything he¡¯d worn. Collin and Kaelen wore similar shirts, though Collin added a tunic that fell just below his belt. David noticed a few Elves milling around the room. Most of them were curious about the visitor. They too wore similar clothes, some with tunics, some without. Some wore skirts, and others wore slacks of a wool-like material. ¡°Collin. Why did you bring me here?¡± Kaelen stood, gathering his things into a bag before heading to the door. The heavy wooden door creaked on its hinges before clicking shut. The room fell into silence as the sounds of the halls faded. Collin motioned to the stool where David had been sitting. ¡°David, you are one of the few Humans born on Earth with natural magic inside of you. That is how you have done so well for yourself. It is why you have created these wonderful things that help people. I want to see it fully awaken in a world where magic can thrive.¡± David tried to keep his face straight, but he could not hide the smile of disbelief. ¡°My magic? You are telling me I have magic? This is silly!¡± ¡°Yes, David. Your magic,¡± Collin sat up straight. ¡°Have you ever felt a force pushing you? Ideas coming from nowhere? Maybe your hands moved with a mind of their own¡ªit was there, even if you didn¡¯t understand it.¡± David hesitated, searching for words. ¡°¡­Yes. I suppose so.¡± ¡°That is your magic working,¡± Collin said. ¡°Stop to think for a moment. What do you feel right now? Is there a strange pull inside of you towards something you can¡¯t understand?¡± ¡°Come to think of it, yes,¡± David admitted. Collin smiled. ¡°Varelith is brimming with magic, David. Yours is waking up.¡± David frowned, getting up from the bed and pacing as the weight of this new reality settled on him. His hands shook, clapping together while his mind swirled with thoughts. Everything he had built¡ªevery invention, every innovation, every success¡ªwas all slipping away. He¡¯d sacrificed so much: family, friends, and love. All of it for progress. Now it could all unravel, turning him into someone he didn¡¯t understand¡ªsomeone he couldn¡¯t control. Not yet. All the time he¡¯d spent creating marvels of modern medicine was now reduced to something as intangible as magic. David balled up his fists. ¡°I¡¯m finding this very hard to believe!¡± A small table sat between the stools. Collin dropped a plain gray rock on the table¡ªit looked out of place on such fine furniture. ¡°Take this,¡± Collin said. ¡°It¡¯s a rock,¡± David said. ¡°No. It is a gemstone from the Lempick Caves, south of Zloras,¡± said Collin. ¡°It is charged with Traditional magic.¡± Every word out of Collin¡¯s mouth made David roll his eyes toward the rounded ceiling. But the man¡¯s eyes were pleading with David to at least try. As David¡¯s fingers reached it, the hair on his neck stood on end. A sharp smell of ozone burned his nostrils, and a metallic sensation covered his tongue. Something deep inside the very bones of his fingers leapt away from them, and the stone jerked on the table. A soft golden glow spread over the rock, transforming it into a radiant gem. ¡°Whoa!¡± David dropped it. ¡°What is that? What happened?¡± ¡°You used it!¡± Collin clasped his hands together. ¡°Goodness, that was fast! It seems Traditional is indeed your talent.¡± ¡°Traditional?¡± David couldn¡¯t make sense of it¡ªmagic was supposed to be a myth, wasn¡¯t it? Another explanation came over many cups of tea. David listened intently, uncertain if he fully believed Collin. Yet. Varelith is so full of magic that most are born with it in them. Some have strong abilities, and others don¡¯t. In Varelith, a person¡¯s magic awakens. For most, it happens around four or five sun turns. After that, one must find their talent. Traditional magic was the most common talent in Varelith, and David¡¯s seemed to align with it, like many of the Elves. He would be able to explore more as he grew in his abilities. Once the tea had been finished, Collin handed David the stone again, urging him to take hold of it. The man had magic. Collin knew that. Now, he must awaken it. There were so many plans for David, but it all teetered on him grasping magic. As David¡¯s fingers brushed the stone, a violent pulse of energy surged through his arm, knocking the breath from his lungs. His vision blurred, the world around him flickering as if he were going to pass out again. His skin crackled with electricity, and the stone glowed, pulling at something deep inside of him. No¡­ no, this can¡¯t be happening. It was happening. And as the light swirled around the stone, David could not deny it any longer. This was no dream. It was no illusion. Magic was real. And it was inside of him. The Faeries Days later, Collin¡¯s hand grasped David¡¯s, leaving the gemstone in his palm. ¡°Focus on what you feel. What can you see? What can you do?¡± David shook his head. Collin¡¯s constant pressing and lessons were only leading to more frustration. He already knew magic was real, but being able to use it? That was a different story altogether. ¡°This is getting ridiculous,¡± David said. ¡°The light coming from the gemstone seems to think otherwise, David,¡± Collin said. ¡°The light?¡± The soft glow washed over David¡¯s face. ¡°No! It¡¯s¡­ this is a trick! You¡¯re doing this!¡± Collin closed David¡¯s hand over the gemstone. The golden glow could not be contained in his hand. It reached through David¡¯s fingers, shining on the table and the nearby shelf. A ray of glittering light grew stronger and stronger until the air in the room crackled with magic. A glass shattered on the shelf, falling to the floor in a thousand pieces of opaque green. Again, David dropped the gemstone. Collin¡¯s hands clapped together so loudly that people outside the room wondered if he was alright. Once they heard the ecstatic laughter and Collin¡¯s encouraging shouts, they smiled. Even the Elves of Zloras Castle knew about the wonderful thing happening behind the heavy door. The traveler had found his magic. ¡°I broke it.¡± David blinked. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! Was it valuable?¡± Collin laughed. ¡°It¡¯s quite alright! You did well. Congratulations, David! Your magic has woken up!¡± ¡°Magic,¡± David repeated. ¡°I used magic. No. I have magic. Collin, I have magic!¡± There it was. The moment Collin had waited for. That beautiful moment when even a grown man becomes a child again. When David accepted his magic, his face lit up with all the brightness of Varelith¡¯s eastern and western suns combined. The flutter of happiness in his stomach grew until it burst out into a laugh. Then it became a jig across the floor, where David took Collin¡¯s arm and danced in a circle. He was so elated that he could not contain it! ¡°It is a wonderful feeling, isn¡¯t it?¡± Collin embraced David. David nodded. ¡°I want to do more. I want to know more! I want to know everything you can teach me!¡± ¡°One thing at a time, David,¡± Collin said. ¡°It takes time to hone your magic and learn to use it. I would be happy to give you some lessons. If you decide, you might stay for a while?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Collin smiled. ¡°I am so glad to hear that. Rest now. You still need to heal. Once Kaelen clears you, we will begin in earnest.¡± Kaelen allowed David to roam Zloras Castle while he recovered. The sheer size of it was overwhelming. Within the white stone walls was a city of its own, much larger than Zloras City itself. The castle walls were so wide that guards could walk the ramparts with ease. Guard towers stood at each road leading to the castle, and Knights of Ordrya kept watch from suns up to moons set. The main entrance bustled with activity. People from all over Varelith lined up at the four silver gates. Guards, under awnings of woven reeds, checked papers and waved people in. Few were turned away, but the guards still recorded every entry¡ªmore out of tradition than necessity. Nearly twenty buildings made up the main castle, each unique in size but pushing skyward with round roofs and glistening tops. Smaller structures handled daily operations, from food and supplies to crafting clothes and weapons. Other buildings focused on teaching magic or trades. The two largest towers stood at the heart of the city like symbols of Elven strength. One building housed the Knights and Sentinels, along with their famous stables. Another was home to Varelith¡¯s vast knowledge¡ªthe Scholars¡¯ tomes and the Ruler¡¯s Study. The Ruler¡¯s Study seemed endless, its shelves stacked with secrets of ancient Varelith. In the center, a half-circle of high-backed chairs faced the Ruler¡¯s seat. When important matters arose, the Scholars and guests gathered here to discuss the fate of Varelith. David could only glance at it from the large oval doorway, unable to enter as only Scholars and magic users were permitted inside. As David explored the open-air halls, he admired the architecture. The floors, seemingly made of marble with purple, gold, and silver gems, wound around each building. Tall columns supported awnings of reeds, sheltering visitors from rain or heat. Ordrya had no dark season like other lands. The weather was mild year-round, making its markets and homes built similarly to Zloras Castle¡ªsmall, open-air structures surrounded by walls. But it wasn¡¯t the architecture that kept David¡¯s interest¡ªit was the magic. Within days, he devoured the beginner tomes Collin had given him. The gardens became his training ground. The gardens were a marvel to any traveler. Native trees and plants were carefully arranged along sandy paths, with patches of teal grass inviting visitors to rest. David could have spent days there, basking in the low-season suns and breathing the sweet air. Trees of varying heights lined the walkways, some with purple and brown bark, others white and gray, flaking off like paper. Their tangled branches formed a shady canopy once the new green leaves bloomed. Large ferns spilled over the stone walls, and flower beds stretched on, filled with every imaginable shade of red, blue, and purple. Herbs edged the flower beds, their earthy green and gold hues mingling with the vibrant blooms. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Farther along, the sweet scent of Lempick fruit filled the air. Yards of trees, heavy with purple flowers, stood in neat rows. Soon, they would yield their eggplant-colored fruit. Beyond the orchard, a quiet grassy space awaited. It was in this peaceful space that Collin brought David for training. David had been using the same gemstone for days now, channeling his magic through it. His excitement kept him eager to learn, though he still struggled with the finer points of magic in Varelith. The gem had become David¡¯s power cell. He could already focus his magic on the stone and project it towards a target. But the finer points still needed some work. Like so many others, David¡¯s excitement over it kept him from understanding the fundamentals of magic in Varelith. Magic is a very individual thing. Your talent decides the type of magic you can harness, but the magic itself depends on how much magic you are born with, and how well you can focus it. It is a feeling. It is something deep inside of you that must be let out. Instead of holding it back, you allow it to come out in full force. Once someone does that, they find out what their magic can really do. Already, David was harnessing his magic in ways Collin did not expect. His ability to focus should have come after months of learning, not days. They stood on the grassy spot while David practiced on a crack in the stone wall. With the gemstone already glowing in his hand, David concentrated on it, visualizing his magic filling the small void. A bright beam of golden light shot from his hand. The crack itself brightened, and the stone shook and shuddered under the pressure. David¡¯s teeth gritted tight as he tried to hold on to the vision of the stone repairing itself. A soft crackle followed by a louder pop made David slump his shoulders in defeat. The stone had broken. ¡°We should focus more on aiming and focus if you are determined to make repairs,¡± Collin chuckled. David gave him a sheepish smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to do that. I still have some things to learn.¡± ¡°Why not try something smaller?¡± Collin held up a small blue rock. ¡°I have a charged gemstone from a mine in Espachor.¡± ¡°Espachor.¡± David rubbed his chin. ¡°I remember this lesson. That¡¯s the land the Gnomes live in. East of Ordrya and Athary.¡± Collin nodded. ¡°Yes, it is. A kinder people you will never meet. I am sure they would love to have you visit.¡± He thought back to his talks with Collin and Kaelen over the last few days, where they introduced him to the lands of Varelith. Espachor, home to the Gnomes, was a quiet land of farms, winding rivers, and the small trade harbor of Wolves¡¯ Crossing, nestled in southeastern Espachor. Much of Varelith¡¯s grain and produce came from this sleepy bay. Espachor was the only land in Varelith with all four seasons, perfect for farming. Rivers and creeks watered its rich soil, and the Gnomes made full use of their weather. They celebrated festivals year-round, from the Harvest Festival to High Season Days, where the best crops were proudly displayed. During the dark season, they held a week-long festival, traveling farm to farm, sampling special drinks from each community. The Gnomes were known for their kindness and compassion. In ancient times, they visited Varelith simply to explore, making allies and sharing gifts of fruits, vegetables, and grains. The Elves welcomed them, and after many visits, some Gnomes chose to stay. To the west of Zloras, they settled in Oshwait, a fertile land bordering the wetlands, which became their ancestral home. As Oshwait became crowded, the Gnomes looked east to the plains, and the Council granted them the land that became Espachor. ¡°I think I might like to visit Espachor,¡± David said. ¡°Soon.¡± Collin smiled. ¡°Give this gemstone a try. Focus on it.¡± David forgot about his history lesson, gripping the small blue rock in his hand. The stone a few yards from him had now split in two, and the weight of the wall above it threatened to break it to pieces. If that stone fell, the entire wall would need to be repaired, and it would be David¡¯s fault. He frowned at the idea of causing such a fuss and tightened his fist around the gemstone. His magic broke it. His magic could fix it. In his mind¡¯s eye, David envisioned the stone repaired to its former glory. A perfectly hewn rectangle of bright white that sat in uniform with the others. The same golden glow from before shot forth from David¡¯s hand. Tendrils of shadow snaked around the beam of magic, mixing with it until one could not be distinguished from the other. The illuminated shadow enveloped the broken stone and knit it together in a matter of seconds. Collin¡¯s hands and arms were stiff at his side when he turned to give David an encouraging smile. ¡°I am impressed, David! Look what you have done in such a short time.¡± ¡°I did that.¡± David blinked, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I fixed it!¡± ¡°You did. That was very good.¡± But Collin¡¯s words didn¡¯t quite reach his face. ¡°Is there something wrong, Collin?¡± ¡°No.¡± Collin shook his head. ¡°I am only surprised at your abilities. I think it is time you meet some friends of mine from Athary. They know about you, and they are arriving today. This is a perfect time to introduce you.¡± ¡°Athary?¡± David tilted his head. ¡°Don¡¯t mostly Faeries live in Athary?¡± Once again, he recalled a recent history lesson. Athary was one of the oldest lands in Varelith. It was the second discovered and formed in times so ancient that even the Scholars aren¡¯t sure when it happened. No one is certain when the Faeries arrived in Varelith. They came from a home world for exploration. Once they found how well they got along with the ancient Elves, many of the Faeries remained on the world. Eventually, the portals to and from their home world stopped opening. No one is certain what happened to the home world or if it still exists. As the Faerie population grew, they moved away from ancient Zloras and settled near the Holly Forest in southern Ordrya. Even that was not enough space for them. As exploration improved, a land almost directly east of Ordrya was discovered. It was a place of thick forests, high ocean cliffs, and valley plains nestled in between the large, rounded hills. The ancient Council granted the land to the Faeries, and they called it ¡°Athary.¡± To this day, Faeries make up almost the entire population of Athary. Others live there for a short time, taking advantage of the Naturalist¡¯s Tree or the School of Magic in the capital of Aura. Faerie culture is difficult to adapt to, and most return to their homeland or live somewhere else. It is the Faeries who discovered Naturalism. Everyone agrees Naturalism already existed in Varelith, but it had yet to be discovered until the Faeries found The Everpond. Tucked away in northern Athary, Everpond Grove holds the font of Naturalism and portals. The Everpond is a heavily guarded and sacred place to not only the Faeries but any Naturalist. Even the Scholars agree if something happens to The Everpond, Naturalism itself could change. The Everpond fascinated David. When Collin spoke about the great lake in the forest, he tried to see it in his mind. A source of magic? Something that fueled Varelith¡¯s own portals? He wanted to see and experience this for himself. So, when Collin told David of some Faeries coming to visit, he jumped at the idea of meeting them.